DVD Corner

Mission: Impossible- Dead Reckoning Part One Blu-ray Review

“Mission: Impossible- Dead Reckoning Part One” is not one of the better installments in the franchise.

In the first part of a planned two-parter, a rogue sentient AI system (the Entity) has emerged and there’s a mad dash to find the two keys that allegedly control it. IMF agent Ethan Hunt wants to destroy it, but he has to contend with a thief (Grace), Alanna (an arms dealer), AI operatives (Gabriel and Paris), and US Intelligence agents who are after Ethan.

“Mission: Impossible- Dead Reckoning Part One” feels like a massive step backwards after the series best entry “Mission: Impossible- Fallout.” From the clunky opening half-hour it’s clear that there was something very off about this new sequel despite the fact that it is once again directed by Christopher McQuarrie (who also co-wrote the film with Erik Jendresen). 

While the A.I. plot is quite relevant in this day and age, the overlong 163 minute globe-trotting adventure is riddled with missteps. Ilsa Faust’s character is done dirty (Rebecca Ferguson deserves better), Ethan Hunt takes a backseat for large chunks of the movie, there’s way too much CGI for a series that prides itself on practical stunts, the tone is all over the place, the set pieces are way too long, and the story amounts to little more than characters running around for keys. It would be one thing if the story was deep and complex, but it’s not. Instead, everything feels needlessly drug out. Sometimes less is more.

Now, don’t get me wrong, ‘Dead Reckoning’ has its moments. In typical M:I fashion, there are wild and thrilling practical stunts by Tom Cruise here including a motorcycle jump off a cliff and speed flying. The veteran actor certainly goes all out to entertain audiences. Hayley Atwell also proves to be a fine addition to the cast as the personable thief Grace. It’s good to see Atwell in a major role outside of the MCU. Speaking of the MCU, Pom Klementieff (Mantis from the Guardians films) also impresses as the assassin Paris. Her action scenes are especially noteworthy.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 2.39:1 1080p. How does it look? Viewers can expect a crisp hi-def transfer. Note: This title is also available on 4K.

Audio Track: Dolby Atmos. How does it sound? From the iconic music to the sounds of a train, this Atmos track soars with life.

Extras:
* Digital copy
* Commentary by director Christopher McQuarrie and editor Eddie Hamilton.
* Isolated score track
* 6 behind-the-scenes featurettes on action set pieces titled “Abu Dhabi,” “Rome,” Venice,” “Freefall,” “Speed Flying,” and “Train.” Interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, stories about the making of sequences, and film clips are included. The segments on Tom Cruise’s intense motorcross and base jumping training and shooting of the stunt 6 times (“Freefall”) and the “Speed Flying” training are better than the entire movie.

October 28, 2023 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | Action Movie, Ethan Hunt, Hayley Atwell, Mission: Impossible, Mission: Impossible- Dead Reckoning Part One Blu-ray Review, Tom Cruise